The tort system may achieve what the state legislatures could not with the hate-based Westboro Baptist Church. Continue reading ‘Hate-Based Church Ordered to Pay Millions to Grieving Father of Dead Soldier’
Archive for October, 2007
Hate-Based Church Ordered to Pay Millions to Grieving Father of Dead Soldier
Published 1, October 31, 2007 Justice , Torts 2 CommentsSenate Schedules Mukasey Vote for Next Tuesday — Despite Refusal to Recognize Waterboarding as Torture
Published 1, October 31, 2007 Congress , Constitutional Law , Justice 4 CommentsIn what may be a disappointment for many, the Senate leadership has scheduled a vote on Mukasey for next Tuesday despite his refusal to recognize that waterboarding is torture. Continue reading ‘Senate Schedules Mukasey Vote for Next Tuesday — Despite Refusal to Recognize Waterboarding as Torture’
Mukasey Refuses to Denounce Waterboarding as Torture Again in Written Responses to Senate
Published 1, October 31, 2007 Congress , Constitutional Law Leave a CommentFor the second time since his disasterous hearing, Michael Mukasey has refused to recognize that waterboarding is torture in answers to the Senate. Continue reading ‘Mukasey Refuses to Denounce Waterboarding as Torture Again in Written Responses to Senate’
Senate Democrats Have One Last Chance To Address Torture
Published 1, October 31, 2007 Congress , Constitutional Law , Justice , Politics 8 CommentsFor many liberals and civil libertarians, the Senate Democrats have long been the political equivalent of the Italian army: They are best seen on parade. Continue reading ‘Senate Democrats Have One Last Chance To Address Torture’
Witness Testifies that FBI Used Mob to Coerce Information in Famous Civil Rights Case
Published 1, October 30, 2007 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Justice Leave a CommentFor years, it has been rumored that the FBI used mob muscle to coerce information from a Klansman to locate the bodies of civil rights workers James Chaney, Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman, Continue reading ‘Witness Testifies that FBI Used Mob to Coerce Information in Famous Civil Rights Case’
New Spins on Mukasey Testimony
Published 1, October 30, 2007 Congress , Constitutional Law , Justice , Politics Leave a CommentThe White House continues to try to spin the presumptively false testimony of Michael Mukasey before the Senate. Continue reading ‘New Spins on Mukasey Testimony’
Supreme Court Takes Up Pornography Case
Published 1, October 30, 2007 Congress , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Justice , Supreme Court 1 CommentOn Tuesday, the Supreme Court will again enter the debate over curbing Internet porn. Continue reading ‘Supreme Court Takes Up Pornography Case’
Supreme Court to Hear Exxon Valdez Case
Published 1, October 29, 2007 Constitutional Law , Environment , Supreme Court , Torts Leave a CommentThe Supreme Court has grant cert to hear the Exxon Valdez cse and to agree whether Exxon Mobil should have to pay any punitive damages for the 1989 disaster that fouled 1,200 miles of pristine Alaskan shoreline. Continue reading ‘Supreme Court to Hear Exxon Valdez Case’
U.S. Holds Britain’s First Muslim Minister at Dulles on Suspicion in Major Diplomatic Flap
Published 1, October 29, 2007 Bizarre , Justice Leave a CommentIt appears that even being a government minister is not enough to protect you from being pulled aside for ‘flying while Muslim.” Continue reading ‘U.S. Holds Britain’s First Muslim Minister at Dulles on Suspicion in Major Diplomatic Flap’
Florida Tobacco Cases Head Back to Trial Court After Engle Defeat
Published 1, October 29, 2007 Congress , Torts 2 CommentsAfter the Florida Supreme Court threw out the $145 billion jury award against Big Tobacco, the industry celebrated the avoidance of a near disaster. However, individual cases are now lining up to return to court ahead of a January 11th deadline. Continue reading ‘Florida Tobacco Cases Head Back to Trial Court After Engle Defeat’
ABA Calls for Freeze on Executions
Published 1, October 29, 2007 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Justice , Supreme Court Leave a CommentThe American Bar Association has called for a freeze on executions across the country. Continue reading ‘ABA Calls for Freeze on Executions’
CIA Secret Prisons Emptied: Prisoners Disappear
Published 1, October 28, 2007 Criminal law , Justice Leave a CommentOne of the concerns about closing the Cuba facilities for detainees is that it would only lead to detainees disappearing into unknown facilities. That concern seems to have been realized with regard to the CIA secret prisons. Continue reading ‘CIA Secret Prisons Emptied: Prisoners Disappear’
Convictions of Black Soldiers Overturned — 63 Years Later
Published 1, October 28, 2007 Bizarre , Criminal law , Justice 1 CommentIn an unexpected move, the U.S. Army is close to overturning the convictions of 63 black soldiers 63 years ago in Seattle after rioting of POWs at Fort Lawton. Continue reading ‘Convictions of Black Soldiers Overturned — 63 Years Later’
Craig Will Argue Constitutional Argument
Published 1, October 27, 2007 Congress , Constitutional Law , Politics Leave a CommentNever a great defender of the constitutional rights as a senator, Sen. Craig will now raise an important challenge to the constitutionality of his arrest. Continue reading ‘Craig Will Argue Constitutional Argument’
White House Issues Implausible Defense of Mukasey’s Allegedly False Testimony
Published 1, October 27, 2007 Congress , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Politics Leave a CommentThe White House has issued a defense of Judge Mukasey’s presumably false testimony that he was unaware of the techniques used in waterboarding — the favorite form of torture employed by the CIA. Continue reading ‘White House Issues Implausible Defense of Mukasey’s Allegedly False Testimony’
Democratic Majority Leader Reid Says Torture is Just One Issue and Would Not Bar Mukasey
Published 1, October 27, 2007 Congress , Constitutional Law , Politics Leave a CommentThe New York Times has qouted Majority Leader Harry Reid in an extraordinary statement and suggests that Democrats will not fight on the principle of torture — or another civil liberties issue in the last six years. Continue reading ‘Democratic Majority Leader Reid Says Torture is Just One Issue and Would Not Bar Mukasey’
FEMA Fakes News Conference Using Staff Members as Faux Reporters
Published 1, October 26, 2007 Bizarre , Environment , Politics Leave a CommentFEMA is still trying to recover from its almost criminal negligence during the Katrina disaster. Eager to court good news on its California efforts, however, FEMA showed equally bad judgment in staging a news conference in which staffers posed questions like reporters without revealing the deception to the public. Continue reading ‘FEMA Fakes News Conference Using Staff Members as Faux Reporters’
Police Developing Meth Gun — And Raising Serious Privacy and Policy Questions
Published 1, October 26, 2007 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Criminal law Leave a CommentThe Missouri Highway Patrol is testing a new scanning device that can detect the presence of meth at the press of a button. Continue reading ‘Police Developing Meth Gun — And Raising Serious Privacy and Policy Questions’
Georgia Supreme Court Strikes Down Ten Year Sentence of Genarlow Wilson as Cruel and Unusual Punishment
Published 1, October 26, 2007 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Lawyering 1 CommentThe Geroge Supreme Court has found the 10-year sentence of Genarlow Wilson to be unconstitutional as cruel and unusual punishment. It is the final righting of a terrible wrong — brought about by a complete lack of prosecutorial discretion and logic. Continue reading ‘Georgia Supreme Court Strikes Down Ten Year Sentence of Genarlow Wilson as Cruel and Unusual Punishment’
White House Issues Defense of Suppression of Testimony
Published 1, October 26, 2007 Uncategorized Leave a CommentThe White House is defending its suppression of the results of health threats caused by global warming. Continue reading ‘White House Issues Defense of Suppression of Testimony’
Suppressed CDC Testimony Details Health Risks — Original 14-Page Version Below
Published 1, October 26, 2007 Uncategorized Leave a CommentThe original CDC report on climate change has been leaked. For the full testimony, click here
U.N. Commission Warns Global Warming and Over-Population Now Threat to Human Survival
Published 1, October 26, 2007 Environment , Politics 3 CommentsThe UN Environment Program’s fourth Global Environmental Outlook is out and it is bleak. Continue reading ‘U.N. Commission Warns Global Warming and Over-Population Now Threat to Human Survival’
Westboro Church Case Pits Privacy Against Free Speech
Published 1, October 26, 2007 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Justice , Torts Leave a CommentA trial is on the way to determine whether privacy or free speech will prevail in a torts actions against the Westboro Baptist church of Topeka, Kansas, whose members have taunted the families of dead soldiers at their funerals with signs like “Thank God for dead soldiers.” Continue reading ‘Westboro Church Case Pits Privacy Against Free Speech’
Additional Lawmakers in Oklahoma Return Korans — But Not Bibles — In Condemnation of a Religion
Published 1, October 25, 2007 Bizarre , Politics 4 CommentsFor many, the campaign of Rex Duncan, an Oklahoma legislator, upset at receiving a free Koran (or Quran) was just an example of one highly bigoted individual. Continue reading ‘Additional Lawmakers in Oklahoma Return Korans — But Not Bibles — In Condemnation of a Religion’
Abortion Doctor Challenges the Kansas Grand Jury System
Published 1, October 25, 2007 Constitutional Law , Justice , Supreme Court 1 CommentDr. George Tiller, an abortion provider in Kansas, has filed an interesting challenge to a grand jury investigating his activities. Kansas allows citizens to gather signatures to call a grand jury investigation. Continue reading ‘Abortion Doctor Challenges the Kansas Grand Jury System’
A New Campaign Against Witches in Massachusetts: Catholic School Bans Harry Potter
Published 1, October 25, 2007 Academics , Bizarre 1 CommentHarry Potter may have fought the death eaters and Lord Voldemort to a stand still but he is no match for Catholic St. Joseph’s pastor, the Rev. Ron Barker. Continue reading ‘A New Campaign Against Witches in Massachusetts: Catholic School Bans Harry Potter’
Terror Watch List Now Approaching 800,000 People
Published 1, October 24, 2007 Bizarre , Criminal law , Justice 1 CommentThe government’s terrorist watch list has swelled to more than 755,000 names, according to a new government report that warns the the lack of restraint on putting people on the list is making it meaningless from a security standpoint — and increasingly annoying for citizens barred from flights. Continue reading ‘Terror Watch List Now Approaching 800,000 People’
New Defense Theory: Suicide by Rape
Published 1, October 24, 2007 Bizarre , Criminal law Leave a CommentIn past cases involving shootings, police have argued that some people use the police to end their lives in so-called “suicide by cop” cases. Now, a defendant is claiming that another man wanted to be shot when he tried to engage in gay sex — what his defense attorney called “suicide by rape.” Continue reading ‘New Defense Theory: Suicide by Rape’
White House Barred Release of CDC Testimony on Global Warming to Congress
Published 1, October 24, 2007 Environment , Politics Leave a CommentPresident Bush has only recently back off of his long opposition to the theory of global warming, once even rejected his own scientists support of the theory as “junk science.” Now, however, it has been disclosed that the White House cut out testimony to Congress that revealed the scope of the dangers of global warming to citizens. Continue reading ‘White House Barred Release of CDC Testimony on Global Warming to Congress’
Mukasey’s Confirmation: A Vote about Torture
Published 1, October 24, 2007 Congress , Constitutional Law , Politics 2 CommentsThe attorney general nominee’s evasive remarks on ‘water-boarding’ should disqualify him from the job. Continue reading ‘Mukasey’s Confirmation: A Vote about Torture’
Oklahoma Legislator Objects to State-Supplied Koran — But Not the Bible
Published 1, October 23, 2007 Bizarre , Constitutional Law , Politics 1 CommentOklahoma state Representative Rex Duncan is leading a campaign against the supply of copies of the Koran as part of a larger gift from the Governor’s Ethnic American Advisory Council. Continue reading ‘Oklahoma Legislator Objects to State-Supplied Koran — But Not the Bible’
Sen. Craig Uses Campaign Funds for Criminal Case
Published 1, October 23, 2007 Congress , Politics 1 CommentSen. Craig has reported that he is tapping into campaign funds to pay his legal fees. Continue reading ‘Sen. Craig Uses Campaign Funds for Criminal Case’
Administration Withholds Safety Study From the Public to Protect Airline Industry
Published 1, October 22, 2007 Congress 1 CommentAfter completing an expensive study of safety problems like near collisions and runway interference, the Administration found far more dangerous conditions than anticipated. The result: it has withheld the information and ordered the destruction of documents to protect the industry from its own errors. Continue reading ‘Administration Withholds Safety Study From the Public to Protect Airline Industry’
White House Conditions Access of Oversight Committees to Key Documents on their Granting Immunity to Corporations
Published 1, October 22, 2007 Congress , Constitutional Law , Justice , Supreme Court Leave a CommentIn what should be considered an outrage, the White House told Congress that it would grant or deny access to key documents sought for oversight on whether the two houses included an immunity provision for the telecommunication companies. Continue reading ‘White House Conditions Access of Oversight Committees to Key Documents on their Granting Immunity to Corporations’
Mistrial In Holy Land Case
Published 1, October 22, 2007 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Justice Leave a CommentThe federal District Court court in Dallas declared a mistrial Monday on almost all of the counts against the Holy Land Foundation, the Islamic charity accused of illegally funneling money to the militant Palestinian group Hamas. It is a major loss for the government and one that is likely to be heralded by civil libertarians concerned over the almost limitless definition of what constitutes material support for terrorists. Continue reading ‘Mistrial In Holy Land Case’
Disbarred Attorney and Convicted Pedophile is Given Hearing Before Supreme Court
Published 1, October 22, 2007 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Supreme Court 1 CommentDisbarred Minnesota attorney and convicted pedophile Stephen Danforth is about to get an opportunity that few lawyers experience: to have a case argued before the Supreme Court. Continue reading ‘Disbarred Attorney and Convicted Pedophile is Given Hearing Before Supreme Court’
Illinois Court Upholds Dismissal of Alienation of Affection Case
Published 1, October 22, 2007 Torts 16 CommentsAn Illinois court dismissed a case alleging a new popular theory of recovery for jilted spouses being seen in more courts: alienation of affection. Continue reading ‘Illinois Court Upholds Dismissal of Alienation of Affection Case’
Second-Grader in New Jersey Suspended for Drawing Stick Figure With Gun
Published 1, October 21, 2007 Academics , Bizarre Leave a CommentNew Jersey second-grader Kyle Walker drew a stick figure shooting a gun — and found himself suspended from school. Continue reading ‘Second-Grader in New Jersey Suspended for Drawing Stick Figure With Gun’
Congress Hears of Abuse in Extraordinary Rendition Case — Members Apologize to Victim
Published 1, October 21, 2007 Congress , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Justice Leave a CommentGovernment officials have admitted to newspaper that they have used extraordinary renditions to send individuals to other countries for torture. Congress rather belatedly after six years of GOP control is now looking into these abuses. Continue reading ‘Congress Hears of Abuse in Extraordinary Rendition Case — Members Apologize to Victim’
Case Dropped Against Arizona Jounalists — Prosecutor Removed
Published 1, October 21, 2007 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Justice , Lawyering , Media 1 CommentThe case against the two Arizona newspaper executives has been dropped by the Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas. Continue reading ‘Case Dropped Against Arizona Jounalists — Prosecutor Removed’
Man Found Wrongly Convicted and Executed in 1910
Published 1, October 20, 2007 Bizarre , Criminal law , Justice 1 CommentHawley Crippen was once the most famous murderer in England — and may now be the most famously wrongly accused and executed man in England. Continue reading ‘Man Found Wrongly Convicted and Executed in 1910′
Military to Expand Role in Running Public High Schools
Published 1, October 20, 2007 Academics , Politics 1 CommentWith financial and political support of democratic leaders, particularly Raum Emanuel, the military will add to its controversial Marine run high school with high schools for the other services: Continue reading ‘Military to Expand Role in Running Public High Schools’
Federal Magistrate Calls for Court Order to Preserve White House Emails Over Administration’s Objections
Published 1, October 19, 2007 Congress , Constitutional Law , Politics 8 CommentsA federal magistrate has rejected claims from the White House and recommended the issuance of a court order against the White House to ensure the preservation of e-mails. Continue reading ‘Federal Magistrate Calls for Court Order to Preserve White House Emails Over Administration’s Objections’
Suing Over the Separation of Church and State
Published 1, October 19, 2007 Columns , Constitutional Law , Supreme Court 5 CommentsGiven the Crist controversy, the prior column below on the separation of church and state may be of interest. Continue reading ‘Suing Over the Separation of Church and State’
Florida Governor Under Fire for Hanging Religious Symbol on Governor’s Office Door
Published 1, October 19, 2007 Constitutional Law , Justice , Politics Leave a CommentFlorida Gov. Charlie Crist is under attack after an event in which Rabbi Schneur Oirechman affixed a mezuzah from Israel upon the doorway of his Capitol office on Oct. 11. Continue reading ‘Florida Governor Under Fire for Hanging Religious Symbol on Governor’s Office Door’
Congressman Opposes Program to Save Protected Turtles and Calls for Using Money to Build More Highways
Published 1, October 19, 2007 Congress , Environment Leave a CommentRep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., has opposed a modest program to save turtles being wiped out along a highway in Michigan. Continue reading ‘Congressman Opposes Program to Save Protected Turtles and Calls for Using Money to Build More Highways’
Mukasey Opposes Federal Shield Law to Protect Journalists and the Free Press
Published 1, October 19, 2007 Congress , Constitutional Law , Justice , Media 2 CommentsDespite refusing to denounce water-boarding as torture and cl aiming a lack of knowledge of the technique, leading democrats are still praising Mukasey for “at least answering the question.” He has also come out against a major reform demanded after attacks by the Administration. Continue reading ‘Mukasey Opposes Federal Shield Law to Protect Journalists and the Free Press’
Grand Jury Secrecy and the Rocky Flats Scandal
Published 1, October 19, 2007 Columns , Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Environment , Justice 3 CommentsGiven the recent crack down on reporters in Arizona, the prior column from the Washington below on the grand jury secrecy may be of interest. Continue reading ‘Grand Jury Secrecy and the Rocky Flats Scandal’
Attack on the Free Press: Arizona Officers Arrest Journalists for Disclosing Grand Jury Abuse
Published 1, October 19, 2007 Constitutional Law , Criminal law , Justice , Media 2 CommentsIn a clear attack on the first amendment, the editors of an Alternative Newspaper have been arrested on charges of violating Grand Jury secrecy. Continue reading ‘Attack on the Free Press: Arizona Officers Arrest Journalists for Disclosing Grand Jury Abuse’
Mukasey Refuses to Denounce Water-Boarding as Torture and Forces Democrats into Another Crisis of Principle
Published 1, October 19, 2007 Congress , Constitutional Law , Justice , Politics Leave a CommentIn his confirmation hearing, Judge Mukasey has refused to say whether a well-known torture technique is indeed torture. If Democrats are serious about demanding a return to the rule of law, it is an issue that should compel Senators to withhold their votes in confirmation. Continue reading ‘Mukasey Refuses to Denounce Water-Boarding as Torture and Forces Democrats into Another Crisis of Principle’
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